He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
I’ve had a struggle with my body and mind the last couple of days. It actually started a couple of months ago after getting a bit better from a battle I was in. The battle of Lyme disease. It apparently has decided to go on another rampage in my body and create complete havoc.
I’m not telling you this to complain, but to let you know that if you’re going through a rough stage in your life, you aren’t alone. We all go through these stages, although I fully agree that some are worse than others. That doesn’t make it any easier for the person struggling.
There are so many of you out there who are dealing with awful things right now…whether it be physically, emotionally, financially, mentally, or relationally. Things that I couldn’t even imagine. I want you to remember that out of everyone in the world there is probably at least one other person who is going through something very similar to what you are. You aren’t alone.
All I could think about tonight was an amazing trip we took one Christmas. We visited Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a fairy tale night that I had with my hubby and boys. There were over eight million Christmas lights that took us to an incredibly magical place.
While there, we saw the most wonderful show with beautiful singing as we celebrated the first Christmas. We had so much fun in Das Festhous surrounded by food and lively Christmas spirit brought out in the decorations and music! We even saw and learned about penguins.
Amusement park rides are not a favorite of my hubby and boys, so they got minimal attention. For some reason the roller coaster was one we all decided to go on. We couldn’t see the beauty of the decorations any more as we all got situated.
Before we knew what was happening the ride began, and we were heading to a pitch-black tunnel. That was not in our plans! It just happened. I couldn’t even see my son who was right next to me!
There we were in the dark when we got another surprise. The ground dropped from under us! I’m telling you…we didn’t just go down a hill, we dropped. There we were at the bottom, but we didn’t stay there. Obviously, we aren’t still there, and we eventually saw light again.
We continued on the ride as we slowly journeyed out of the dark bottom and back up. By the time we got to the top, the view was amazing! The beautifully lit trees lining the hill made it all worth what it took to get to that height.
This is the best way that I can describe my situation yesterday and today. It felt like I was on that ride. I was enjoying the way life was going when I hit complete darkness and the ground dropped out from under me. I even lost sight of God because it was just too dark. The difference was that I wasn’t being forced to move forward.
I was starting to get so tired of struggling with not feeling well and dealing with the emotions that were all churned up inside of me that I actually decided I was just going to stay in bed. I didn’t “feel” like getting up! Didn’t I deserve to just stop for a while?
Yes, I do need to stop and rest. It’s actually quite necessary, but I wasn’t doing it for my health. I knew that. I wasn’t doing it in order to move forward by allowing my body to heal. I had decided to stay there in the darkness because I wanted to hide and not deal with reality.
I was in a place that I couldn’t see God, and instead of walking in faith knowing He was right there, I decided to be stuck. If I’d stayed in that bed, I wouldn’t be back in the light now. I wouldn’t ever make it back to the top where I know the good things are waiting. I had to remember God’s promises in order to get through the now.
I was told something that gave me the push I needed on this day of a solar eclipse. A very important person told me that the sun will be eclipsed by darkness, but it is only temporarily there…for the sun will shine after the darkness.
In order for me to continue on this roller coaster ride of life, I had to move. Rest is fine, but hiding is not. I am promising you that there is light ahead if only you take a step forward…one step. Then just repeat the process.
It may be hard, but please just take one step. I had to force myself out of bed, I forced myself to put on a bright shirt, and I forced myself to move. Nothing complicated, but it was hard.
After the first step it became easier. I didn’t say it was easy, but it did become easier. Once I stepped outside and felt the sun shine on my face, I felt like I was feeling God’s love again and the difficulty started to lift away.
God was always there with me just like my son never left me on that roller coaster ride. I just needed to get into the light so I could see Him.
Please know that I realize whatever you’re facing is hard. I want so badly to help you, but I need you to please go to God. Start moving…one step. That’s it. Then repeat. I’m praying for you.
God’s there even if you can’t see Him. Please trust me and ask for His help for you to take that one step, then just do it. Do it because you know that God has given you all the strength and power you need!
Corrie Ten Boom had experienced great pain in her life and it would’ve been understandable for her to give up…to stay in the darkness. Instead, she past through that darkness in order to get to the high point of allowing God to reach so many with her wisdom. Let me share some of that wisdom with you:
- “Some knowledge is too heavy…you cannot bear it…your Father will carry it until you are able.”
- “With Jesus, even in our darkest moments the best remains and the very best is yet to be…”
- “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”
- “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”
- “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
- “There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”
- “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.”
- “Now, I know in my experience that Jesus’ light is stronger than the biggest darkness.”
Rely on the strength and power that has been given to you and know that Jesus’ light is stronger than your biggest darkness. The best is yet to be…
